As the project to determine an Ill. Route 51 bypasses around area communities continues to creep along, the public once again has an opportunity to see the progress and offer input.
The first of the local meetings was held Tuesday in Ramsey. Additional meetings are planned next week in Patoka (Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Patoka Civic Center) and in Vandalia (Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Mother of Dolors Parish Center).

Beginning on Aug. 1, the Habitat Store, located at 418 W. Gallatin St. in Vandalia, will begin accepting donations of clean clothing, jewelry, household items, small appliances, small pieces of furniture and knick-knacks.
All profits from the store, formerly known as Nice Twice, will benefit Fayette County Habitat for Humanity, with all funds staying in the county.
Donations will be accepted at the door in the alley from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Jim Staff, Vandalia, first place
Pete Burnam, Vandalia, first place
Jackie Warner, Vandalia, third place
Richard Pollard, Salem, second place
Charles Harris, Ramsey, first place
Charles Philpot, Vandalia, third place
Bob Maxedon, Sullivan, second place
Rick and Christy Strange, Tamaroa, first place
Bill Rowe, Eureka, Mo., first place
Levi Carrol, Ramsey, second place
Aaron Lay, Vandalia, third place
Brandon Kraft, Thompsonville, second place
Terry and Lisa Robbins, Vandalia, first place

Fayette County officials charged with reorganizing the seven county districts to reflect population shifts learned that the task would not be anywhere near as difficult as they expected.
In fact, they learned that all they had to do was make a trip to Springfield, and the work would be done for them.
At its meeting last Thursday, the county board approved a new district map that includes only two changes – moving Bowling Green Township from District 7 to District 1, and moving two blocks in Vandalia (100 residents) from District 3 to District 4.

The regional superintendent of schools for this three-county area announced last Thursday night that he was retiring, with that decision based on the governor’s attempts to reduce funding for that level of education in the state.

Vandalia officials will take the next step on more downtown improvements this Thursday afternoon.
Mayor Rick Gottman announced at Monday’s city council meeting that the council’s street committee will be meeting at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday to work on plans for improvements in the one-block areas of Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets.